Graduating Senior to be Commissioned at Baccalaureate

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – On Saturday afternoon, during Lincoln University’s Baccalaureate service, families, guests, faculty, staff, and those graduating will witness the commissioning of a 2018 Lincoln University graduate into the U.S. Army Reserves as a second lieutenant.

Cadet Maurice White-Harris, Class of 2018

Maurice White-Harris will cap four years as a cadet in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps by taking the oath of office from Captain Darryl Wilson, Executive Officer, Fighting Blue Hen ROTC Battalion. Cadet White-Harris will have his bars placed by his mother, Muneerah Harris.

“At Lincoln, we pride ourselves on educating all of our students for a life of leadership and service,” said Lincoln President Brenda A. Allen. “I expect the values and pride he has learned from our faculty and through our strong liberal arts curriculum will carry with Maurice throughout his military journey.”

White-Harris, a native of Philadelphia, participated in ROTC with the battalion at the University of Delaware. During his college career, White-Harris completed Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and specialized training in nursing. He is a graduate of Eastern Academy Charter School.

White-Harris will participate in the Fighting Blue Hen ROTC Battalion’s official commissioning on May 24 during the University of Delaware’s Commencement weekend.

The traditional First Salute will be performed by Sergeant Tamarkius A. Roby, a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and Lincoln University’s veterans affairs coordinator.

The First Salute, also known as the Silver Dollar Salute, is when a newly commissioned officer has an enlisted individual issue their first salute to them as a member of the military. The Army Officer's Guide says the newly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant presents a silver dollar to the first enlisted soldier who salutes them. The coin symbolically acknowledges the receipt of respect due the new rank and position.

“Lincoln is a military-friendly institution,” said Roby, which is why he encourages those graduating from Lincoln to attend the Baccalaureate ceremony to support one of their peers who not only juggled life as a full-time student but

Cadet Maurice White-Harris, Class of 2018

also their duties as a soldier.

After graduation and commissioning, 2nd Lt. White-Harris will complete his initial Basic Officer Leader Course in San Antonio, Texas, and be assigned at a place of duty to be determined.

“We want to prepare students that come to our University for the critical challenges of society, which is part of our liberal arts curriculum,” Roby said.

Other students who are graduating in May who are veterans include Walton Brown, an undergraduate human services major from Norristown; Terrell Waters, a counseling graduate student from Harrisburg; and Tamarkius Roby, an undergraduate criminal justice student from Indianola, Mississippi, who is also a reservist.

Attendance is highly encouraged at Baccalaureate, which does not require tickets. Baccalaureate will be held at 4 p.m. on May 5 in the International Cultural Center at Lincoln University.